After the vital 2-0 away win at Chievo before the international hiatus, the Viola picked up another impressive victory against Reggina. Coach Cesare Prandelli's men beat the 10-man Amaranto, courtesy of another brilliant performance by former Milan flop Alberto Gilardino, who put the result beyond doubt in the second period with a brace, after Giampaolo Pazzini had netted a spot-kick to open the scoring. The Gigliati now turn their attentions to the Champions League campaign, where they have yet to secure a first win after the unlucky 2-2 draw against Lyon and the Stadio Artemio Franchi stalemate with Steaua Bucharest. However, they will have a mountain to climb when taking on the Bavarian giants at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night. The German champions are somewhat struggling in the Bundesliga but lead the way in the Champions League Group F with 4 points to their name. Former Florence hero Luca Toni is a major doubt for the match after reporting a muscular problem in the game with Karlsruhe last Saturday and so he could sit out the reunion with his former teammates. On the other hand, Prandelli will probably be able to count on former Juventus hitman Mutu, after a relapse to the elbow injury he suffered two months ago while on international duty forced him to miss out on the last two Viola outings in Serie A. Striker Pazzini should also get the go-ahead after picking up a knock to his foot in Saturday's game, but Martin Jorgensen and Franco Semioli will not make the trip to Germany.
The German Champions picked up a vital away win in Karlsruhe last Saturday, courtesy of a late goal by Miroslav Klose from ex-Milan right-back Massimo Oddo's assist, but lost Luca Toni to injury in the first half. Now coach Jurgen Klinsmann's men will host high-flying Serie A outfit Fiorentina tomorrow, hoping to extend their advantage in Group F of Europe's premier club competition. And former Inter legend Rummenigge feels it will be a hard-fought battle with Cesare Prandelli's side. "It will be the first international game between Bayern and Fiorentina," he told Il Corriere Fiorentino. "We were sure that last season's UEFA Cup final would ultimately pit us against the Viola, but maybe it was fate that wanted us to meet in the Champions League instead. "They are a dangerous outfit and I sincerely admire what the club has achieved in such a short time frame." Fiorentina went bust in 2002 and were demoted to Serie C2, but managed to return to the top flight in 2004 and sensationally qualified for the Champions League last term, after an exciting battle with AC Milan. "They have improved in leaps and bounds and the Della Valle brothers have really made a great work," Rummenigge asserted. "They know how to spend wisely and have pulled off an exceptional coup in bringing in Alberto Gilardino this summer. Moreover, they understand the importance of building a new ground in Florence, and if they manage to achieve that, the Viola can seriously aim to join the elite of European football."
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发表于 2008-10-20 19:52:52
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发表于 2008-10-20 23:04:26
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